Textile Facilities To Reopen In Georgia South Carolina

Textile Facilities To ReopenIn Georgia, South CarolinaStemming the tide of increasing plant
closings and other setbacks in the textile industry, several facilities recently shut down in
Georgia and South Carolina are set to reopen under new ownership.Two textile firms will establish
operations in former Thomaston Mills facilities in Thomaston, Ga. Thomaston Mills declared
bankruptcy and closed its doors last summer after more than 100 years in operation. The new
operations will bring 500 new jobs to a community that was devastated by the loss of more than
1,400 jobs due to the mill closings. Standard Textile Co., Cincinnati, will set up manufacturing
operations in the former Thomaston Mills Peerless Division and traffic and roll warehouse, which it
purchased for $3.7 million. The healthcare, hospitality and institutional textile products
manufacturer expects to employ 150 to 200 people at the facility starting in February 2002.Griffin,
Ga.-based 1888 Mills, a manufacturer of specialty towels and textile products, has purchased the
former Thomaston Mills Finishing Division. The company expects to establish warehouse operations
beginning in June and manufacturing around the end of the year, ultimately employing approximately
300 people.The former King Finishing plant near Dover, Ga., is reopening as King America Finishing
Inc., a subsidiary of Chicago-based Westex Holding Co., a former customer of the plant. Westex
purchased the facility from Spartanburg, S.C.-based Spartan Mills, which ceased operations last
spring. King American Finishing is headed by Warren L Beck, president, former plant manager at King
Finishing; and Michael S. Corbin, vice president, former vice president of Spartan Mills. Corbin
said the plant is resuming dyeing, printing and finishing operations, with plans ultimately to hire
more than 200 employees.Central Textiles, Central, S.C., has purchased a former Mayfair Mills
facility in Pickens, S.C. Arcadia, S.C.-based Mayfair filed for bankruptcy and closed six
facilities last year.Central a manufacturer of wall coverings, uniforms and jeans pockets plans to
invest $2 million in the facility over the next few years and employ as many as 180 people.
January 2002